Buzz
Patrons select shrimp, fish, and more from various stalls to have it prepared on-site, ensuring freshness and efficiency.
A day of full indulgence at Hang Duong Market, an on-site seafood market in Saigon
About 50 km from downtown Saigon, Hang Duong Market in Can Gio district is renowned in the South for its seafood hub. The fresh produce area isn't too large, featuring just a few dozen stalls, but it wins customers over with its fresh shrimp, crab, fish, squid... all of high quality.
Getting there
From Saigon, it's about a 2-hour motorcycle ride via Nguyen Tat Thanh – Huynh Tan Phat – Binh Khanh ferry – Rung Sac, stopping at the 30/4 junction (Can Gio).
Two bus routes are available:
- Route 75: Directly connects Ben Thanh to the 30/4 intersection. Departs at 7:30 AM, offering three round trips daily. The bus is usually not crowded, clean, with efficient air conditioning, priced at VND 30,000 per person. Travel time is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- Route 20: From Ben Thanh to Binh Khanh ferry (ticket price: VND 5,000 per person), followed by a ferry crossing (ticket: VND 1,000 per person), and then take bus 90 to the 30/4 intersection (ticket price: VND 6,000 per person). This route has continuous service, so there's minimal waiting, though bus 20 is a bit older and lacks air conditioning.
From the 30/4 intersection, a welcoming gate appears, and a few hundred meters walk will bring you to Hang Duong Market.
Market Visit
At the market entrance, you'll find stalls selling popular sun-dried fish, particularly sought-after are the dried pineapple fish and the larger, more expensive dried barramundi. Smaller natural pineapple fish cost more than the larger farmed ones. Bargaining is recommended.
Explore a wide range of seafood, from affordable to premium options, all kept alive in plastic buckets with aerators. While some items like shrimp and lobster have fixed prices, only discounted for bulk purchases, others such as blood clams, razor clams, and oysters are open for negotiation. For those looking to take their purchases home, foam boxes and careful packaging are available for easy transport.
After selecting fresh ingredients, have them cooked to your liking by nearby chefs for a small fee. The raw goods section is to the right, while cooking areas are on the left, leading to a smoky end with delicious grilled aromas. Seating is available for those waiting to dine in or take away, but enjoying your meal by the seaside dining area is most ideal. Rental tables are available for just VND 10,000, complete with free restrooms, comfortable seating, and a refreshing sea breeze. Post-meal relaxation is encouraged, followed by a beach visit for photos, despite Cần Giờ's less picturesque, muddy shores.
After a fun afternoon, if hunger strikes again, head back to the market for Cần Giờ's specialty, the ugly yet tasty frogfish hotpot. In other coastal cities, fishermen often discard this fish due to its appearance, but at Hàng Dương Market, it's a sought-after delicacy. Priced around VND 300,000 per kilogram, roughly five fish serve seven people, offering a chicken-like texture, sweet broth, and a perfect complement to noodles, warming you up after a day of adventure.
Source: Vi Yến/Ngoisao.net
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Reference: Mytour travel guide
The Wanderlust Co.October 3rd, 2018
